Taylor Fladgate 1994 Ex-Cellars (750ML)

100 WS / 100 JS / 99 WE / 97 RP / 18 JR

#1 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 1997

This stock was released in 2021 directly from Taylor Fladgate's cellars.

In a word, superb. It's full-bodied, moderately sweet and incredibly tannic, but there's amazing finesse and refinement to the texture, not to mention fabulous, concentrated aromas of raspberries, violets and other flowers. Perhaps the greatest Taylor ever, it's better than either the '92 or the '70, though it's very like the '70 in structure. Best after 2010. - James Suckling, Wine Spectator

This is, to date, the greatest Vintage Port ever from here. It overwhelmed me years ago when I tasted it from barrel, but only now is it crossing gradually into its drinking window. The intensity is still mind-boggling here, with sweet-and-sour notes as well as mounds of clay. There are violets lurking somewhere too. A full-bodied, medium sweet and sublime Vintage Port, showing forest fruits and freshly picked blackberries on the palate in the form of a creamy, focused and tannic texture. - James Suckling, October 2012

This is very much in the mold of the 1992—maybe slightly less rich but just by a whisker. It's dense without being heavy, with a beautifully spice-filled and long finish. Flavors of chocolate, mint and plum pudding linger elegantly for a few seconds longer than the '92. Hold. - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast

When tasting young vintage ports, Taylor is always the most backward. Yet potentially, it has the capability to be the most majestic. This classically made, opaque purple-colored wine is crammed with black fruits (blueberries and cassis). It reveals high tannin and a reserved style, but it is enormously constituted with massive body, a formidable mid-palate, and exceptional length. It is a young, rich, powerful Taylor that will require 10-15 years of aging. Compared to the more flashy, forward style of the 1992, the 1994 has more in common with such vintages as 1977 and 1970. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2045. - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Deep garnet, not as dark as the Graham's. Sweet, more red fruit, spicy damson, spirit still evident. Then some savoury leather. Generous but so fluid, lots of spice. Silky tannins, much less power and darkness than on the Graham’s. Ready earlier? More elegant but perhaps overall less impressive. (JH) - JancisRobinson .com